NEWELL LAWN & LANDSCAPE

Will to succeed, love of family drive Mark Newell’s life

by John Downs, Sr.

Owner Mark Newell and his wife, Trish

Mark Newell made his first fortune in his early 20s while he was still in college.

“I always had a desire to succeed, and I grew up with a solid set of values,” Mark says. “My mother encouraged me to dream but she equally emphasized that I must always have a plan to make those dreams come true. It just wouldn’t happen by itself. My dad was a Navy pilot and I learned discipline from him. This would help me tremendously throughout my life.”

When he was just 10, Mark was making a dollar with a paper route or by cutting lawns. He always saved much more than he spent. By the time he reached his teens, he had accumulated a vast sum of money. His extraordinary success in college came about by buying and selling real estate — buying low, fixing up, and selling high. The Mark Newell of today is a highly successful and diversified businessman.

Newell Lawn and Landscape has created a tropical paradise in the heart of the suburbs.

The backbone of Mark’s enterprises is Newell Lawn and Landscape.

“I owe the success of Newell Lawn and Landscape to the same personal values that have guided me my entire life,” Mark says proudly. “First, I realized early that I owe it to my customers to know practically everything about lawn care and landscaping. They depend on me and I never let them down.

“Secondly, I make sure each and every customer is always satisfied in every way. It doesn’t matter whether I am doing an annual seeding for a contract customer or personally designing a six-figure backyard paradise, I personally ensure that everything will be done right. My customers know that I am always just a phone call away. Among the many constants in the way I do business is my reliability. Quality work, quality craftsmen, and guaranteed satisfaction — those factors will always be a part of my business philosophy.”

Newell Lawn and Landscaping is multi-faceted, offering services both in “hardscaping” and “softscaping.” Hardscaping refers to decks, walls, patios, concrete, and other structures that are an integral part of an overall landscaping design;  softscaping, on the other hand, encompasses grasses, shrubs, ornamental foliage, trees, and any other living and growing plants.

“I offer it all. We truly are a one-stop resource for our customers,” he says proudly. “A customer can tell me what they want or I can make some very good suggestions. Either way, I will make their dreams come true and no job is too big or too small.”

“I’m proud to say that almost 70 percent of our business is made up of clients
who have been with us for more than
 18 years. We’ve earned their trust.”

    — Mark Newell

Many who know Mark believe he would have made a good college professor.

“I guess they say that because I believe education is a very important factor with my customers,” Mark notes. “I honestly believe the decades of knowledge and experience I have accumulated in this business are equal to a doctorate degree. I sometimes think of myself as a ‘Doctor of the Earth’ and my customers are my students. One of the reasons my customers are so loyal is that I always take the time to explain what I do in a way they can understand. I also listen to their questions and respond to their needs.”

Mark and Trish Newell with their children, from left, Tyler, Ryan, Austin and Christy.

Being a good steward of the earth is a vital component of the Newell philosophy and something he’s truly passionate about.

“Part of the education process I share with my customers is the need to take care of our environment. Unfortunately many times the general public misguidedly assumes that going ‘green’ will mean more expense. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Additionally, I like to explain the mutually beneficial relationship between the earth, plants, and the human race. We are all in this together.”

Newell Lawn and Landscape offers plans and levels of service and maintenance to suit practically any budget. The company’s one-year, weekly maintenance plan is particularly popular and offers homeowners the benefit of not only great-looking property but also of having a professional eye on the health of their yard and garden.

The service includes cutting, edging, and weedeating. Mark points out that this is an affordable plan that addresses any problems as they arise.

“It’s one of our most popular programs, and it usually has a waiting list by the middle of May. We are currently welcoming new clients to our preferred list.

“We don’t just come in periodically and ‘blanket spray’ foliage and shrubbery as an overall precaution, which uses unnecessary chemicals,” he explains. “With our Integrated Pest Management Plan, a professional is monitoring the property and can immediately care for — and communicate to the homeowner —   a problem and its solution. It’s a very cost-effective way of caring for a homeowner’s major investment, and showing off the client’s curbside appeal.”

“We do quality work and back it up with warranty.”

What’s really important to Mark is to establish a relationship with his customers based on trust, confidence and expertise.

“We want these associations to be long-term, and we do what is necessary to maintain the goodwill we have worked so hard to build,” he says.

“I’m proud to say that almost 70 percent of our business is made up of clients who have been with us for more than 18 years. We’ve earned their trust.”

Although Mark has definitely made his mark in the world of business, his greatest source of pride is his family.

“Isn’t that why most of us do the thing we do?” he asks rhetorically. “I learned a long time ago that it isn’t just what you can give your kids in life that really matters, it’s what you teach your kids.

“My best advice to my kids is, ‘Don’t ever let anyone steal your dreams from you. Anything in this world you want to accomplish, there is a way for you to do it.’”

The Newell family consists of Ryan, 18, who’s currently pursuing a college degree; Austin, 15, who’s on the baseball team at Great Bridge High School; Christy 11, already an accomplished cheerleader, and Tyler, who loves baseball and basketball. Mark’s wife Trish is a successful businesswoman in her own right with her own nutrition company.

Since he graduated from Kempsville High School in 1979, Mark has made most of his dreams come true. He is a successful entrepreneur, a partner in a professional sports franchise, has his own financial holding company, is a loving husband, and a dedicated father.

Where does he go from here?

“I want to write a book,” Mark says enthusiastically, “I want others to share in my success but I want them to start at an early age. This book will be a guide to success detailing all aspects of my values, advice and experience. It’s something young people and their parents can read together. I will definitely dedicate it to my parents.”